By-law of the National Biotechnology Centre, issued in accordance with article (11) of the law of the Higher Council for Science and Technology No. (30) for the Year 1987 and its amendments.
Article 1: |
This by-law shall be sited "the By-law of the National Biotechnology Centre for the year 2005" and shall be effective as of its promulgation in the "Official Gazette". |
Article 2: |
The following words and expressions wherever they occur in this By-law shall have the meanings assigned to them hereunder unless the context indicates otherwise. |
The Higher Council: The Higher Council for Science and Technology. |
The Centre: The National Biotechnology Centre. |
The Board: The Centre's Managing Board. |
Biotechnology: Utilizing biological Sciences, especially modern sciences to produce goods or provide services with economic return. |
Article 3: |
A Centre shall be established called "The National Biotechnology Centre", located in Amman. The Higher Council may, subsequent to recommendation by the Board, establish branches for the Centre in other parts of the Kingdom. |
Article 4: |
The Centre aims at developing the scientific capabilities in the field of bio-sciences to Biotechnology. To achieve this the Centre is charged with the following tasks:
- Identifying the national capabilities, potential and activities, in the field of Biotechnology, and coordinating and developing such activities at the different scientific centres and institutions, as well as building the database required.
- Supporting the Applied Scientific Research in the field of Biotechnology.
- Nurturing and supporting the establishment of Biotechnology products based enterprises.
- Increasing the number of patents, and supporting inventions and innovation in Biotechnology.
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Article 5: |
- The Centre is managed through a managing Board chaired by the Secretary General of the Higher Council, and the membership of the president of the Centre, and seven scientifically qualified and experienced persons from the public and private sectors, to be appointed by the chairman of the Higher Council for three years renewable for another three years. It is valid to terminate the membership of any member in the same manner, and to appoint a substitute for the remaining period.
- The Board elects in its first meeting a deputy-chairman.
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Article 6: |
The Board shall be entrusted with the following tasks:
- Setting the general policy of the Centre, and laying down plans and programs needed for their implementation.
- Approval of the contracts and agreements with any party to assist the Centre in achieving its goals, including contracts concerning providing financial support to companies in the field of Biotechnology.
- Supporting Biotechnology research infrastructure, and developing it.
- Organizing conferences, seminars, workshops, and specialized training courses in the different areas of Biotechnology, and participating in such activities in Jordan and abroad.
- Developing human resources working in the field of Biotechnology, and cooperating with other scientific centres, and scientists in the Arab Countries and outside, and with international organizations related to Centre's activities.
- Securing the Centre's financial resources, and handling the investment of the Centre's financial resources, and their optimal use.
- Appointment of an accountant, and deciding on his/her salary.
- Approval of the annual budget of the Centre, its annual report on its activities, and its annual final financial statements, and submitting them to the Higher Council for final approval.
- Approval of the organizational structure of the Centre.
- Any other tasks assigned to it by the Higher Council's Chairman, or the Chairman of the Board.
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Article 7: |
- The Board shall hold its meetings whenever the need arises, pursuant to a written invitation from its chairman or his deputy in case of the Chairman's absence. The Board's meeting shall be considered legal if attended by the majority of its members, provided that the chairman, or the deputy – chairman in case of the former's absence is present. Resolutions shall be reached by a majority of votes of members attending the meeting. In case of equal votes the side supported by the Chairman of the meeting shall prevail.
- The Chairman of the Board may invite any expert or specialized person to attend the Board's meetings to offer consultations on the subject presented thereof without such person being entitled to vote.
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Article 8: |
- The Director of the Centre shall be appointed, his salary and all his financial rights shall be fixed and his services shall be terminated or he shall be relieved thereof, subsequent to a decision by the Chairman of the Higher Council.
- The Director of the Centre shall represent the Centre with other parties and agencies.
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Article 9: |
- The Director of the Centre shall carry out and assume the following duties and authorities:
- Follow-up on the implementation of the Board's decisions.
- Manage the administrative and financial affairs of the Centre and shall make sure of good progress of work.
- Signing contracts and agreements approved by the Board, and authorized to sign by the Board.
- Preparation of the Centre's annual budget, and its annual final financial statements, as well as its annual report on its activities and submitting it to the Board.
- Forming technical and advisory committees to assist the Centre in achieving its goals.
- Any other tasks assigned to him by the Higher Council or the Board.
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Article 10: |
The Director of the Centre may delegate any of his authorities cited in this by-law to any of the employees of the Centre. The authorization should be specific and in writing. |
Article 11: |
The fiscal year of the Centre starts on January the 1st of each calendar year, and terminates on December 31st of the same year. |
Article 12: |
The financial receipt of the Centre shall consist of:
- The annual sums allocated to the Centre by the Higher Council in its annual budget.
- Revenues accruing to the Centre from services.
- Gifts, subsidies, contributions, donations, and any other sources, foreign financial contributions are conditional to the approval of the Council of Ministers.
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Article 13: |
The Centre shall be administratively and financially independent. The Centre shall hire the its staff in accordance with the current "Higher Council for Science and Technology employees by-law". |
